This month marks the 80th anniversary of the birth of Middlesbrough artist Glynn Porteous.

If you've ever wondered who did those paintings which are on the shutters in the cut-through by the Dundas Arcade, then he's your man.

Likewise if you've ever taken a look at the mural depicting Teesside and North Yorkshire in the A66 underpass near Wilson Street.

Born on April, 24 1935, Glynn discovered his interest in art while a pupil at Marton Grove School.

After being encouraged to develop his talent at Middlesbrough College of Art he proceeded to win a place at the Slade School of Art in London.

After a spell of national service - in which he was involved in the Suez Campaign - he took up that place in 1957, going on to work in commercial art and design at a Chester-based studio before returning to Middlesbrough.

It was then that he was appointed as artist / model maker for the Department of Engineering at the County Borough of Teesside - which went on to become the County of Cleveland.

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Glynn stayed there for 19 years, continuing to use his technical skill, keen eye and imagination to continue painting in his spare time.

After retirement, he and wife Rene opened Porteous Galerie in Linthorpe Road, selling materials and art books while he continued to take commissions - such as the replica Locomotion I for Stockton Council.

"He used to say that he was a hack artist," said Rene.

"I don't think he meant it in a bad way, he just did everything because he had to make money.

"He would say 'Yes' before he knew if he could do something - and then he just did it."

Rene Porteous with late husband Glynn's last piece of work

In 1979 Glynn staged a one-man exhibition at Middlesbrough's Municipal Art Gallery, leading to more local shows before his final exhibition at Kirkleatham Hall Museum in 2001.

His 1954 painting The Scullery Sink was donated to the Municipal Art Gallery and later became part of the permanent collection at mima.

It depicts the scullery at the artist's family home in Acton Street and can be seen on the regular open days at the gallery.

Rene Porteous presenting the Acton Street sketch to mima's Kate Brindley. Right is Glynn Porteous in the studio

Glynn's work shows great wit and a huge knowledge of art history - taking off many of history's most famous artists.

He was also inspired by the people and places he saw around him in Middlesbrough - with many local places featuring in his work.

They included Redcar Beach, the Bottle of Notes, McDonald's in Linthorpe Road and many more.

Happy Hour in the Cleveland Snug

In his work, Happy Hour In The Cleveland Snug features the Cleveland pub in Linthorpe Village features.

Elsewhere, Glynn's distinct humour and love of his fellow Teessiders can also be seen in his picture The Artist Is Accused Of Spying For The DHSS.

"When he was working on the subway he would have his lunch and used to go to the Bridge Inn," says Rene, who still lives in the couple's terrace home.

"After he retired he would go into town to get some ideas for his paintings and he knew there were some characters in the Bridge.

"So he went to the pub and got his drink and said to some of those who were in there 'Would you mind awfully if I took pictures of you because I'm an artist and trying to get ideas of paintings'."

The Artist Is Accused Of Spying For The DHSS

"They were very obliging and he took his pictures then he noticed that they were looking at him in a funny way.

"They said they wanted the film out of his camera as he was too smart to be an artist - you work for the DHS!"

Glynn's technical ability and knowledge of art history meant that he was able to transpose the works of some of the world's greatest artists into a Teesside setting - often in works in which he featured himself.

"People weren't going to come and sit and pose for him and they were never going to be quite right, so he used himself," says Renee.

One such example was Travelling Companions, which takes off artist Augustus Egg's painting of two Victorian ladies in the first-class carriage of a train and brings it up-to date with two Teessiders on the Middlesbrough to Saltburn line.

Travelling Companions (Image: glynnporteous.co.uk)

As mentioned earlier, reproductions of the artist's work which can be viewed on the shutters in the cut linking Linthorpe Road to the Dundas Arcade.

But for an example of his original work, head across to the underpass below the A66 which links Wilson Street to Marsh Road.

There, a 16-panel piece of work depicting scenes from rural North Yorkshire and industrial Teesside can be viewed.

It was completed by Glynn, who died 12 years ago, in 1987 following an epic four-year project - during which he went for his lunches at the Bridge.

Unfortunately, it more recently made the news when the artist's widow Rene Porteous described her distress that the work had been vandalised.

It has since been repaired by Middlesbrough Council - for which Mrs Porteous was extremely grateful.

Councillor Tracy Harvey, the authority’s Executive member for environment, said at the time: “Glynn Porteous is one of the most talented artists this area has produced and the council is proud to have his work displayed in public places."